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Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe contest US Open semifinal spot

3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 9:51 PM

Last updated Sep 11, 2026

Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe contest US Open semifinal spot
Summary

American men's tennis reaches a milestone at the 2026 US Open as Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe meet in the semifinals to guarantee an American spot in the final. This matchup marks a potential turning point in a 23-year Grand Slam title drought for American men, which has persisted since Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open. While several American players have reached major finals in the interim, including Taylor Fritz in 2024 and Andre Agassi in 2005, none have secured a championship. Both semifinalists expressed confidence in their ability to compete for the title. The winner of this match faces either Alexander Zverev or Karen Khachanov for the trophy on Sunday.

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Status Watch
  • •Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe face each other in the US Open semifinals.
  • •The winner advances to the final to compete for an American major title.
  • •Andy Roddick remains the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles championship.
  • •Alexander Zverev and Karen Khachanov compete in the other semifinal match.
  • •Taylor Fritz reached the 2024 US Open final but lost to Jannik Sinner.
Latest Updates
  • 10:45 PMESPN Tennis — Del Potro, '09 US Open champ, says Tiafoe, Shelton could end drought
  • 7:26 PMYahoo Sports — Del Potro says Tiafoe or Shelton can break the US men's Grand Slam drought
  • 2:52 PMYahoo Sports — Who was the last American man to win a Grand Slam title? Shelton, Tiafoe can end drought
What they're saying
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Ninety Grand Slam tournaments have passed since Andy Roddick defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 final at Flushing Meadows. Apart from Argentina’s Juan Martín del Potro at the 2009 U.S. Open and his compatriot Gastón Gaudio at the 2004 French Open, every champion across the world’s four major tournaments has been European. Frances Tiafoe or Ben Shelton — who face off in the U.S. Open semifinals on Friday night — could end this drought for American men.

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Argentina's Juan Martín del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who was the last non-European to win a Grand Slam, "sincerely" believes Frances Tiafoe or Ben Shelton could end the major drought for American men.

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Andy Roddick was the last American man to win a Grand Slam title. Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe now have a chance to end the drought.

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